OK, Let’s Finally Talk About It: Kim Kardashian’s New Blond Hair

Yesterday, reality starlet and mom to new baby North West, Kim Kardashian, Insta'ed a shot of herself on set for a "#WorkDay." While we're not sure exactly what Kim was up to (Maybe a guest spot on her mom's new talk show?), we do know that Kim's recently revealed blonde mane has SELF staffers divided. So we decided to chat with our one and only hair guru, Louis Licari, owner of the namesake salon in New York City, to see who can do it, how to do it, and if going blonde is right for you.

Why it works: “Kim is the quintessential Hollywood glamour girl,” says Licari. “When she chooses to break the rules — in this case, drastic color change — she’s surrounded by experts who can make it look great.” Translation: This big of a shade transformation is best left to a professional colorist at the salon, not your bathroom sink. “Turning natural dark hair like Kim’s into a hot blonde is no easy feat,” he says. “This is not a do-it-yourself job.”

What her colorist did: “It starts with a single process to turn her dark strands into a warm blonde shade,” Licari explains. “It must be checked every five minutes to avoid the dreaded “bl-orange” tinge.” (Your job, meanwhile: Make sure your colorist is on point!) The next step: highlights, the shade of which is determined by the new base color. If hair looks a bit brassy, your colorist can counteract it with paler blonde highlights, he says. “The result will be Kim’s honey-blonde shade.”

Can you pull it off?: Yes! This hue compliments most natural hair colors and skin tones. With one but: If your complexion has a sallow (yellow or green) undertone, the shade’s warmth can clash with it. Also, be ready to make a commitment to maintenance, which can include frequent touch-ups, possible oxidation (brassiness, which can require color-correcting), and religious conditioning to keep hair healthy.